Hisar power plant standoff: Admn accepts Khedar villagers’ demands, six-day deadlock ends

Deepender Deswal

Hisar, July 13

The six-day-long deadlock between the district administration and the protesters at Khedar village ended today. The administration acceded to various demands of the villagers following another round of talks this evening.

The protesters, who had blocked the Barwala-Bhuna state highway in the afternoon, lifted the blockade. The Deputy Commissioner, who led the administration in the discussion with the dharna committee, said they had reached a broad understanding on all issues. The villagers assured to cremate deceased farmer Dharampal and lift the dharna.

The settlement

• Deceased farmer Dharampal’s family to get compensation; one family member to get a government job
• The four villagers, arrested after a clash with the police last Friday, to be released
• Village gaushala to get fly ash from the Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power plant at the rate of Rs 37 a tonne

Earlier, a mahapanchayat was held at Khedar village. It was also attended by BKU leaders Rakesh Tikait and Gurnam Singh Charuni. The mahapanchayat served an ultimatum on the district administration to resume dialogue by 4 pm or they would block the highway by keeping the body of the deceased farmer on the road.

After the deadline, the protesters blocked the Barwala-Bhuna road and announced an indefinite blockade, if the administration didn’t accept their demands. The Hisar DC, SP and other officials, however, called the 15-member dharna committee for talks.

Shradhanand Rajli, dharna committee member, said the administration agreed to most of their demands, including compensation and government job to a member of Dharampal’s family, releasing four arrested protesters and resolution of criminal cases in 15 days.

The administration also agreed to ensure supply of fly ash from the Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power plant to a village gaushala at the rate of Rs 37 a tonne, Rajli said. The thermal plant would also provide electricity and water to Khedar village, he added.

Gurnam Singh Charuni said they were satisfied with the administration’s assurances and would cremate deceased farmer Dharampal on the release of their four activists.

Heavy security arrangement were put in place in the village this morning. Barricades were put up to restrict the arrival of outsiders to the dharna site. However, dharna activists later talked to the administration after which a meeting was allowed to be held at the dharna site.